Duck Definition

dŭk

ducked, ducking, ducks

noun

ducks

Any of a large number of relatively small waterfowl with a flat bill, short neck and legs, and webbed feet.

Webster's New World

A female duck.

Webster's New World

The flesh of a duck as food.

Webster's New World

A darling; dear.

Webster's New World

A person, esp. one qualified as being “odd,” “harmless,” “funny,” etc.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

verb

ducked, ducking, ducks

To lower quickly, especially so as to avoid something.

Ducked his head as the ball came toward him.

American Heritage

To avoid or evade.

The candidate ducked the issue.

Webster's New World

To push (a person, for example) suddenly under water.

American Heritage

To lower, turn, or bend (the head, body, etc.) suddenly, as in avoiding a blow or in hiding.

Webster's New World

To plunge or dip under water for a moment.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Antonyms:
meet
face
jump

pronoun

A surname.

Wiktionary

idiom

have (<i>or</i> get) one's ducks in a row

to be (or become) thoroughly organized or prepared

Webster's New World

like water off a duck's back

with no effect or reaction

Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Duck

Noun

Singular:

duck

Plural:

ducks

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Duck

have (or get) one's ducks in a row
like water off a duck's back

Origin of Duck

Middle English douken to dive possibly from Old English dūcan Middle Low German and Middle Dutch dūken

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Middle English doke from Old English dūce possibly from dūcan to dive duck²

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Dutch doek cloth from Middle Dutch doec

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Alteration (influenced by duck) of DUKW

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition